GT/PLEN 2 held its first meeting today. One of the
essential tasks of GT/PLEN 2 is to identify items for which studies must be
carried out in preparation for the next WRC and submit to the Council the
proposed agenda items for that WRC and future conferences. So far, proposals
from the regional groups which represent harmonized positions of countries of
their respective regions, point to yet another punishing agenda of between 30
and 40 items, even before the items dependent on the outcome of the work of
Committees 4 and 5 of this Conference are known!

In some proposals, concern was expressed at the
excessively heavy agendas of conferences because of the negative impact on the
efficiency and effectiveness of conference work and decisions. To obviate the
problem, agendas confined to the most pressing issues for which studies are
either available or have achieved significant results have been advocated.

Working Group 5D

(Power limits)

The Working Group 5D also started its work today. It
organized its work with the introduction of proposals on power limits applicable
to the sharing conditions among a number of space and terrestrial services in
bands above 1 GHz. This concerns primarily the non-geostationary satellite of
the fixed-satellite service (non-GSO FSS), the geostationary satellites of the
fixed-satellite service (GSO FSS) and the geostationary satellites of the
broadcasting-satellite service (BSS). The protection of satellites in the fixed
satellite service against non-GSO FSS, was hotly debated in WRC-97 but a
tentative agreement was reached during the Conference Preparatory meeting (CPM)
in December 1999 on the possibility of sharing.

Based on the studies that were requested by the WRC-97,
this conference is to confirm the provisional power limits set at WRC 97. These
limits aim at avoiding harmful interference among systems operating in the same
bands while not imposing undue constraints on the development of these systems
and services. WRC 2000 is to confirm the provisional power limits set at WRC 97
on the basis of the studies conducted since then.

Today’s discussion essentially focused on the
presentation of proposals, mostly by Regional groups (CITEL, APT, Europe and the
Arab Group). With a large degree of consensus in the various proposals, in line
with the results of the ITU studies and the agreement reached at the CPM meeting
last November, it was decided to task a drafting group (Drafting Group 5D-1) to
consolidate all proposals in a single document to be considered by Working
Group 5D. The Drafting Group is to submit its report by next Wednesday, 17
May.

A second item that did not need discussion at this point
concerned the proposals made to identify future studies that would need to be
carried out. To this end, a second Drafting Group (5D2) was set up to integrate
the different proposals for future studies on issues that do not relate to
reports to future conferences (and therefore have regulatory implications). It
was suggested that all proposals be integrated into a single resolution.

It was finally decided that consideration of the two
agenda items on non-GSO MSS and GSO FSS networks (item 1.12 and 1.14 of the
agenda) will be dealt with at the start of next meeting in the morning of 11
May.

Working Group 5C

(HAPS, Space Science, HDFS)

Following the introduction of proposals at the first
meeting of Working group 5C, it was decided to set up three sub-working groups
to consider the issues relating to High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), Space
science and Earth Exploration services and High-Density Fixed Systems (HDFS)
(see http://www.itu.int/newsroom/wrc2000/presskit/index.html
for background information on these issues).

HAPS

The main issue for HAPS is the protection of other
services using the same bands. HAPS can be deployed in two frequency bands
around 48 GHz. However, considering that higher frequency bands have cost
implications on systems because there are little economies of scale for
equipment operating in these bands, proponents of HAPS are seeking to obtain
agreement on the use of lower bands. In addition, countries that have heavy rain
levels have a strong interest in using lower bands because of the way rainfall
affects the quality of signals. Those opposed to this move base their position
on the fact that lower bands are used by a range of services and that studies on
the possibility of sharing in proposed bands would be needed, particularly in
the 18 to 32 GHz range, before making a decision.

Space science services however are seeking the use of
higher bands to expand their capacity. Space science services include
Radioastronomy, Earth-exploration or Space research. Space science services are
more prone than others to the natural laws of physics and certain bands are more
suitable than others for certain usage. For example, in remote-sensing
applications, the bands to be used vary considerably depending on the surface
being sensored whether it is water, oil fields, forests, etc.

Radioastronomy

Radioastronomy, on its part, requires "quiet
zones" to be able to receive incoming cosmic signals unaffected by
interference to enable astronomers and others learn about the universe. What is
being sought at WRC-2000 is a new allocation on an exclusive basis in the 400
GHz to 2000 GHz range as well as a worldwide allocation for the earth
exploration-satellite (passive) and space research (passive) services in the
band 18.6-18.8 GHz. Space science services have currently an allocation
from 71 GHz to 400 GHz, on a shared basis in some of the bands.

Sub-working group 5C2 will be looking at developing a
draft proposal for consideration by Committee 5.

HDFS

The third area falling within the mandate of Working group
5C concerns High-Density Fixed Services (HDFS). The main issue is one of
sharing. The problem arises from the fact that HDFS uses a high density of
terminals (in large urban areas for example) thus increasing the propensity to
interfere with other high-density applications using the same bands in the same
service areas. This is particularly the case with non-GSO FSS. Sharing problems
are also experienced with the Radioastronomy services in the bands that are
adjacent to those used by HDFS (42.0-43.5 GHz). While it is generally considered
that the allocation obtained at WRC 97 is adequate, it is equally agreed that
services must be suitably protected. Sub-working group 5C3 will therefore be
looking at possible regulatory provisions to enable HDFS to develop while
ensuring protection to other services.

The meeting concluded the day’s work on housekeeping
(allocation of documents, working methods and chairpersons)

Is
administrative due diligence working? The question of evaluating the
administrative due diligence procedure for satellite networks, which was adopted
by WRC-97, was at the heart of the discussion today.

A report by the
ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, presented to the meeting, showed that the
administrative due diligence procedure was having no impact whatsoever on the
problem of excessive filings of satellite networks.

"Paper
satellites" are satellite filings systems under coordination which do not
represent real communication requirements. They are considered to be
"overfilings" of a speculative nature ("slot reservations"
for potential future applications or, in some cases, for slots to be used for
commercial arrangements or for later distribution in the domestic or
international market under re-sale, leasing or other arrangements to the highest
bidder). Two proposals had been tabled at WRC-97 in an attempt to address the
problem: an administrative due diligence procedure and a financial due diligence
procedure. After long-drawn out negotiations, WRC-97 opted for the
administrative due diligence procedure, adopting Resolution 49 to reflect that
decision.

A year later,
proposals made to the Minneapolis Conference continued to express concern about
the problem of paper satellites and the backlog this was creating for BR. This
led the plenipotentiaries to adopt Resolution 85. Under the terms of this
Resolution, WRC-2000 was required to evaluate the results of the implementation
of administrative due diligence and report its findings to the next
Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled for 2002.

While BR had not
encountered any administrative difficulty in applying the provisions of
Resolution 49 and in gathering and publishing information, the exercise involved
the collection of a huge amount of data, overburdening the already stretched
resources of the Bureau.

BR also
underlined a growing trend among countries to request for extension of the
regulatory period up to the maximum limit authorized by the Radio Regulations
(triggered by the original date of bringing into use of their satellite
networks), whenever they are asked to provide due diligence information.

Has the
administrative due diligence procedure been effective? For some, it was too
early to judge. For others, this process was not working and the only reasonable
means to constrain paper satellite was to adopt some form of financial due
diligence and apply it to certain space networks. Some prefer to put the problem
of the backlog to the complexity of the data and procedural process of the Radio
Regulations and the volume of space system filings (including the extensive
overfilings that occurs)."

Financial due diligence

One proposal
which advocates financial due diligence would like to see that a financial
deposit be sufficiently important to be a deterrent to frivolous filings but not
so high as to be a deterrent to the development of "real" networks. A
deposit of about 1 per cent of the cost of building and launching a satellite
into service was considered to be an adequate balance. Thus, for a typical
satellite having a total bandwidth of 500 MHz, the deposit would be CHF
5 million or CHF 10 000 per MHz. It is proposed that this financial due
diligence procedure be applied to all filings of the mobile-satellite service
(MSS), broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) and fixed-satellite service (FSS) in
the frequency bands: 3 400-8 400 MHz and 10.7-31 GHz.

This proposal
sparked a déjà vu debate with some delegations begging the question of
whether the ITU was entitled to impose any financial fee on a natural resource.
A system of paying fees would discriminate against developing countries in a
fundamental way, these delegations argued.

Proponents of
the financial due diligence procedure have stressed that one of the consequences
of the current situation for administrations and satellite operators is the very
large number of satellite networks/administrations that are identified as
potentially affected when new notices for real systems are submitted. This, they
argue, would force the network operators to either attempt to coordinate with
the many "paper satellite networks" with substantial costs or make
risky assessments as to which networks are likely to be "real" and
those that are likely to remain "paper".

While some
contributions address the question of the complexity of the Radio Regulations,
there seemed to be no contributions which will have an impact on the volume of
the filings with the Bureau.

What has been the experience so far?

In order to help
administrations comply with Resolution 49 on due diligence, BR had provided them
with a comprehensive list of planned or existing satellite networks for which
the administrative due diligence information was required. The list focused on
the most urgent requirements such as the satellite networks with a date of their
being brought into use (including any authorized extension prior to 1 July
1998).

It was also
noted that in the case of networks for which an Advance Publication of
Information (API) was received prior to 22 November 1997, the period for
bringing the satellite into use may be six years plus a three-year possible. The
result is that, for a majority of cases, the due diligence information needs to
be provided by 21 November 2003 at the earliest. Any effect of administrative
due diligence may not, therefore, be fully apparent until at least that date.

A case in point

The BR had also
sought the advice of the Radio Regulations Board (RRB), following a letter from
the Russian Administration disputing the Bureau’s conclusions regarding
Russian satellites featured in a list of networks proposed for cancellation
because due diligence information on them was missing. That administration
expressed the view that Resolution 49 did not apply to satellite networks which
have been implemented (including the associated earth segments) and notified as
having been put into operation. Discussions on these issues will continue.

Two sub-working groups set up

Working
Group 4A also decided to set up two sub-working groups: one (Sub-Working
Group 4A1) to revise Appendix S7 to the Radio Regulations according to option 3
(see WRC2000 Highlights 9 May, page 4)
based on a new Recommendation approved last week by the Radiocommunication
Assembly. The other (Sub-Working Group 4A2) will prepare text for the
revision of Appendix S13 to the Radio Regulations (distress and safety
communications other than the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System).

A major document
was tabled today by a group of over 25 countries from Europe, Arab States and
Africa as part of the possible elements they have defined towards an agreement
on the issue of replanning at WRC-2000. Given the complexity of some of the
issues, compromises are necessary at an early stage of the Conference.

According to the
document the BSS Plan will normally contain ten channels per coverage area for
Region 1, representing a continuous band of 400 MHz. It should also include the
additional assignments for national coverage.

The countries
sponsoring this key document find the current sharing criteria overly
conservative. To avoid meeting with the same deficiencies as in the 1977 Plan,
the planning must take into account the mutual protection of the relevant
networks on the basis of more realistic criteria in order to satisfy the needs
of the administrations. In order for the planning to benefit from these new
criteria, WRC-2000 has to adopt them before 12 May 2000 to enable the Conference
secretariat to prepare a final Plan while ensuring compatibility between the new
Plan, the assignments for which the procedure applied for modifying parameters
of existing assignments or seeking a new assignment has been successfully
completed as well as with other services. They also need to be used in the
framework of the sharing procedures implying BSS assignments in the planned
bands.

The document
further states that, as the Plan will be based on digital modulation, new
additional uses in the BSS in the planned bands should be limited to digital
modulation.

In adopting the
final Plan, the Conference, will have to ensure that it is compatible with

the assignments in the BSS for which, as of 12 May 2000 at 1700 hours,
the procedure of the current Article 4 of Appendix S30 has been
successfully completed and the due diligence information specified in
Annex 2 of Resolution 49 (WRC-97) has been received by the Bureau;

the assignments in the FSS which, as
of 12 May 2000 at 1700 hours, have been notified to the Bureau with the
required coordination agreements and for which, by that date, the due
diligence information specified in Annex 2 of Resolution 49 (WRC-97) has
been received by the Bureau

terrestrial services

the Region 2 BSS Plan.

GT PLEN Ad hoc 1 (see WRC2000 Highlights of
9 May, page 3) is expected to submit a
document on the replanning criteria to its parent Working Group on Thursday
afternoon (11 May) so that the BSS planning team can start the replanning
work by Friday night.